While the Shadows lay siege to the station, Anna convinces John to go to Z’ha’dum to hear their side of the story.
(Originally aired on October 28, 1996)
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Directed by Adam Nimoy
GUEST STARS
Jeff Corey- Justin
Ed Wasser- Morden
Melissa Gilbert- Anna Sheridan
WATCH OUT FOR
* A reinserted flashback. The first flashback scene from "Revelations" has been adjusted to put Melissa Gilbert in Beth Toussaint's place. The opening sequence tells us what we should remember of Anna and the Icarus up until this point.
* A real wedding photo. Anna looks at the photo from her own wedding to John. This photo is actually from the wedding of actors Bruce Boxleitner and Melissa Gilbert, a real-life married couple (with no Shadow implants, thank you very much).
ANALYSIS
Kosh warned him not to do it. Even though we hear the old advice "If you go to Z’ha’dum, you will die" yet again in this very episode, John Sheridan goes anyway to hear what the Shadows have to say for themselves.
They want his cooperation because he’s what they call "a nexus," someone the universe tends to follow. Needless to say, a sympathetic nexus would strengthen the Shadows' cause.
And what cause would that be? According to Justin, the Shadows are looking out for the younger races; they’re just using different means than the Vorlons. The Shadows believe in helping evolution along by fostering conflict -- the strong survive and get better, the weak perish.
What we see here is the first real indication that the conflict between the two elder races may be more than a simplistic Good vs. Evil struggle. The Vorlons aren't perfect, nor are they pure good, having done their own share of manipulating the younger races.
But Sheridan rejects the Shadows. Part of the reason is that, as demonstrated early in this episode, when he shows Delenn what he thinks of her withholding information from him, he doesn't take kindly to manipulation.
This stubbornness is what makes him a nexus. His nature is to act according to his own lights.
Ultimately, Sheridan rejects the Shadows’ plan and causes the White Star to crash, causing untold damage.
The third season ends with an explosion and a real cliffhanger.
